Rot-Weiss Essen play host to TSV 1860 Munich from 7pm. This is how the teams will approach the catch-up game on matchday 18.

From 7 p.m., Rot-Weiss Essen will be fighting for third place in the 3rd division. A win in the catch-up match at TSV 1860 München would see RWE take over this contested promotion-relegation place for the time being with 42 points.

Christoph Dabrowski already emphasized at the matchday press conference that Essen, who are a force at Hafenstrasse and struggle away from home, face a tough nut to crack.

Looking at the line-up, things will not get any easier at Grünwalder Straße in front of 15,000 fans – including around 1,300 from Essen.

In addition to the already confirmed absence of captain Vinko Sapina (knee problems), Dabrowski will also have to do without Jakob Golz against 1860. The number one is absent due to illness. “Jakob unfortunately had flu symptoms after the warm-up and is out. But Felix will stand in for him well,” explained Dabrowski on “Magenta TV”.

Golz will be replaced by Felix Wienand, who will be making only his second appearance in the third division for Rot-Weiss Essen. He made his debut on August 27 at Spielvereinigung Bayreuth (1:1).

TSV 1860 Munich: Hiller – Ludewig, Verlaat, Glück, Kwadwo – Rieder, Frey, Schröter, Guttau, Nankishi – Lakenmacher

Bench: Richter, Greilinger, K. Kurt, Reinthaler, Starke, Vrenezi, Güler, Muteba, Ouro-Tagba

Rot-Weiss Essen: Wienand – Voufack, Rios Alonso, Götze, Brumme – Eisfeld, Müsel, Obuz, Harenbrock, Young – Vonic

Bench: Springer, Kourouma, Rüth, Voelcke, Wiegel, Etri, Kaiser, Berlinski, Doumbouya

Referee: Nico Fuchs (Bergisch Gladbach)

What the coaches said before the game

Argirios Gianniks: “This is an important game for us. We have to score to get out of the bottom. We want to neutralize RWE and play to our strengths up front. We know how strong Essen are. The team showed impressively against Freiburg recently that it can also recover from a deficit. I think it will be a very intense game.”

Christoph Dabrowski: “It will be a very intense week for us. But we are well prepared and know what to expect. Of course, we want to take something tangible with us from these long away trips and are aiming for the 40-point mark on Tuesday. I have a very good gut feeling about that. The team is in good shape. 1860 Munich is a team that is trying with all its might to avoid relegation. They have a high level of quality. Since the new coach arrived, they’ve conceded very few goals and are secure at the back. With Morris Schröter and Fynn Lakenmacher, they also have good players who are dangerous in attack. But we’re also in good shape and, as I said, want to break the 40-point mark. “